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Chapter 1502: East African Federation in Progress (Second update, please subscribe)
“Khrushchev is in Addis Ababa!”

Almost as soon as Khrushchev's plane landed at Addis Ababa airport, some people in bordering Kenya were eyeing the visit.

“This is not just a simple visit!”

In the representative office in Mombasa, Li Gangqiang stared at the map and said:

"Next, they are likely to launch a large-scale attack!"

The "they" that Li Gangqiang mentioned are the "Kenya Freedom Army" that has been conquering cities and seizing territories in Kenya and controls nearly one-third of the country's land in the past two years.

The whole world is a free army, whether supported by the Western world or the Soviet Union, they can be called free armies.

As for what kind of freedom law it is, it depends on their understanding.

However, for Li Gangqiang, an intelligence officer, those so-called "Free Army" were nothing more than puppets of the Russians.

Two years ago, it was with the support of the Russians that the so-called "free army" crossed the border and occupied large tracts of land in Kenya, although it was still far away from Mombasa, but who knows? Once the British can no longer hold on, they will not be able to stay out of it.

Because of this, the representative office has been paying close attention to changes in the local situation. As a representative, Liu Hongying's first thing every morning is to listen to the intelligence officer's report.

"A large-scale attack? What about the British? If the Free Army launches a large-scale attack, can they stop the attack?"

As soon as the representative finished speaking, Li Gangqiang said:

"Malcolm MacDonald is a complete idiot. He can neither make the locals submit to the British threat nor effectively quell the rebellion."

The Malcolm MacDonald mentioned by Li Gangqiang is the Governor-General of Kenya. Historically, he was the last Governor-General of Kenya. It was he who designed the national flag and emblem of Kenya, and it was also he who lowered the British flag.

But now, London still wants to save it. After all, Kenya is now a dairy cow. That is why, even with the resistance of the Free Army, Britain still mobilized troops to suppress the rebellion here.

The only problem is… the Governor isn’t tough enough.

Li Gangqiang's answer made Liu Hongying frown. He was silent for a moment, then said:

"So you think the situation here is critical!"

"Yes,"

Li Gangqiang took out some photos and information and handed them to the representative, then said:
"Representative, the Kenyan Freedom Army has always been supported not only by the Soviet Union, but also by other Eastern European and major powers. They have not only obtained a large number of weapons, but most of their officers have received training in Moscow and other places. Now the British army is not just facing a guerrilla force, but a modern armed force that has received full support from Eastern countries. They even have MiG fighters!"

Looking at the photos in front of him, Liu Hongying frowned. These photos included aerial photos and photos taken by reporters. The Free Army was not a force with only light weapons. In the photos, they not only had T31/85 tanks, but also T54 tanks or 57 tanks. They not only had a variety of ground weapons, but also an air force.

Is this kind of Free Army still a guerrilla force?
While the delegates were thinking, Li Gangqiang continued:

"8 people! This is the strength of the Free Army. In comparison, the British Army only has 15000 people. The British cannot make up for the 5-fold advantage in strength. Perhaps the Royal Air Force can make up for the lack of strength through bombing and artillery fire, but they will still be defeated in the end."

Then, Li Gangqiang looked at the representative and said:
"Unless we intervene, I don't think the British will be able to stop the full-scale attack of the Free Army. At least, in the foreseeable future, they are destined to lose this place. When they lose this place, it means that we will also lose this place."

As soon as Li Gangqiang finished speaking, Liu Hongying said:
"We can't lose East Africa! This is our granary. We can lose anywhere, but we can't lose here!"

Then, Liu Hongying said:

"If the British can't hold on, then... we will definitely take over ourselves!"

In fact, Malcolm MacDonald couldn't hold on any longer!
On the same day that Khrushchev arrived in Ethiopia, the Free Army once again launched an attack along Highway 3. Although the British troops from colonies such as Rhodesia fought very bravely, they were still repelled by the fierce attack, and more than a thousand defenders had to retreat to the rear.

After the news broke, Ethiopians in Addis Ababa cheered, their leader Mengistu gave an enthusiastic speech and invited Kenyan African Union leader Jomo Kenyatta to attend a public rally with Khrushchev.

At the rally, Khrushchev called this victory - "The failure of the imperialists' colonial policy in Africa! The Soviet Union will support the African people in winning freedom!"

This undoubtedly shows the Soviet Union's position to the whole world that they are going to strengthen Britain in Africa!

While London was protesting to the Soviet Union through diplomatic channels, Macmillan was already discussing another issue in a very serious manner in Downing Street.

"East African Federation, gentlemen." In the Prime Minister's office, Macmillan once again mentioned the idea of ​​"East African Federation" proposed by Douglas Wilson, Chairman of the Legislative Council of the Dominion of Tanganyika.

"Now we must seriously consider the pros and cons of establishing the East African Federation. We must realize that in East Africa, relying solely on colonial authorities is no longer enough to maintain local order."

As he spoke, Macmillan cast his eyes on Defense Secretary John Profumo. Little did he know that if someone hadn't intervened, the Defense Secretary would become the bomb that toppled the Conservative Cabinet.

"John, how much manpower do we need to invest to stabilize the local situation?"

"It would take another 2 troops and at least £10 billion, and it would take about two years to restore the situation on the ground. If the rebels fail and withdraw into Ethiopia, then we have to face the problem that they will launch another rebellion a few years later."

As a well-known hardliner in London, John Profumo has always been resolute in suppressing colonial rebellions. It is precisely because of his attitude that the situation in Kenya has maintained a certain balance until now, or at least has not collapsed.

"So, what do you think of the East African Federation?"

Listening to the Prime Minister's question, John Profumo thought for a moment and said:

"From a certain perspective, the establishment of the East African Federation will help integrate the forces of Kenya and Tanganyika, fully mobilize local forces, and then quell the local rebellion. However, even so, we cannot relax our investment in the local area in the short term..."

Then he added:

"But in the long run, this is our only chance to keep Kenya and Tanganyika, so I think the East African Federation is the best option at the moment."

Foreign Secretary Alec Douglas-Home said:
"But Mr. Prime Minister, we must note that the Americans will not agree with us establishing the East African Federation and maintaining contact with the local area in this way."

The Americans have indeed been deliberately trying to undermine British colonial rule. Five years ago, with the support of the United States, the United States launched a training program for outstanding young people. The following year, US Senator Kennedy, the one with the big idea, provided financial support for the program. In another world, the program trained 70% of Kenya's political leaders at the beginning of its founding.

Now...

Although Kenya has not yet gained independence, the "outstanding young people" trained by the United States are gradually playing a role.

"American……"

Macmillan paused for a moment, then said:

"No matter what, we can't satisfy the Americans, and we can't please the Americans at the expense of British interests. We must consider our own interests."

Although Macmillan was not as good as his two Conservative predecessors, as the last "imperialist" of the British Empire, he always insisted on safeguarding British interests, at least to a certain extent.

In the 19 years since the end of World War II, Britain was little by little saved from the brink of collapse. Although it had to give up large colonies, Britain was recovering, especially after the establishment of the Ocean Bank. Colonies such as Africa continued to provide blood transfusions to the mainland, and the pound did not need to worry about over-issuance. In such a good situation, how could Britain give up its colonies?

"The abandonment of each colony will bring about a corresponding chain reaction. We can abandon Kenya, but then we will lose Tanganyika, Rhodesia, and all the colonies in Africa..."

This is actually inevitable. Sometimes, giving up is like this. When you start giving up a colony, it means you will continue to give up.

In the end you will lose everything!
As for the UK, they do not want to give up, at least not in this way.

"So we have to maintain a special connection between the colonies and the United Kingdom, not just the Commonwealth..."

In fact, for the UK now, although the Commonwealth is the pride of the UK, everyone knows what this Commonwealth is.

Let me tell you the biggest joke - India is a member of the Commonwealth.

But so what?

It's just a formal member.

McMillan said:

"We need to establish a more solid connection between us and the colonies."

(End of this chapter)